Short Stories for the Beginning

❥Synergy of the Meek~

One of the deepest forest which held the most luscious of greens was the territory of the biggest Leopards from the North, the Kingdom of Atez. Bustling town is market filled with bright lights, a clear and magnificent river that illuminates in the night, and the cheers and music from the town's center. Nezer, the Leopard's one and only heir is seated at the highest tower, looking down on everything that's happening in their territory from the window.

"Your highness, do you not wish to see the town before the ceremony starts?" his most loyal aide, Revern inquired.

Nezer shook his head, sinking his chin on the window pane. He can see a yellow light fluttering around Revern, he knew he only meant well, however such trivial things never interest him. Compared to kids his age who simply goes out to play, he prefers to sit and read books regarding their kingdom or practicing his attacks in preparation towards becoming the heir, he always acted like the perfect ruler. Yes, it has always been like that.

"Your Highness, it's almost time"

With a shallow sigh he stood and followed his escorts. They strode the road that was once filled with leopards, everyone bowed their heads at their magnificent ruler passing by for an important ceremony. Compared to the previous rulers the townsfolk has never been this excited towards seeing their future ruler, most especially on his coming-of-age.

Nezer held light steps, his black smooth fur fluttered, ornaments surrounding his body glittered the leopard's eyes, looking dignified for his people as he passed them. When he reached the temple, a loud gong filled their ears and the entrance was opened. Nezer raised his eyes, making contact with a white rabbit quietly seated on the center of the podium.

Nezer found the rabbit rather peculiar, because at first glance, the rabbit held no light that surrounding it, never in his life did he expect to find someone whose thoughts he cannot assess. The royal bloodline for Leopards manifests with the child who bears to see someone's thoughts through flickering lights surrounding them. It was the reason to be feared, for an ability that lets them asses someone, the leopards cannot be deceived.

In a daze, he didn't notice one of the Leopards blessing him and explaining the ceremony – he was so lost in thought for the first time that he didn't notice that they were alone inside the temple, and that everyone has left except for them.

"Is there a problem?" a slow voice woke him from his reverie, the rabbit spoke after being silent this whole time.

"No, I was simply surprised by how calm you are. I heard that every generation, the sacrificial rabbit always tries to escape that the ceremony takes an awful lot of time."

"I see, the youth is always scared of death as they have only experience so little from the world" it opened its eyes, showing her red pupils to Nezer.

"Are you not scared of death then? You look young" he asked walking towards her. "You must have heard what the ceremony master said, you're supposedly a sacrificial rabbit to symbolize my coming-of-age."

"So I've heard, but I too am scared of death, your grace."